The latihan is the reappearance of a
primordial Power hidden within human beings and all creatures. This Power
manifests itself in
spontaneous bodily movements and utterances, a mood of tranquility and joy,
clarity of awareness, and love for the Divine.
It works progressively to cleanse and harmonize the conflicting elements of our
being, to heal and to illuminate. Its essential nature
is celebration and praise. It makes possible an increasingly profound
realization of the Wisdom from which we ultimately spring
and in which all things are embraced.

The term "latihan"_ literally means exercise, and the latihan is
in fact a spiritual exercise or practice but because it is entirely
spontaneous it follows no pre-existing plan, and so cannot be either studied or
taught. It cannot be directed or forced in any way,
but is simply received, as a life and movement arising from the very centre of our
being, in whatever forms are appropriate for the
particular nature and condition of each one of us. Since the action of the
latihan is cathartic as well as illuminating, its manifestations
may occasionally be unpleasant; more usually they are enjoyable, and at times
they are of an extraordinary beauty
but because these manifestations are simply the means by which we are gradually
transformed, they are all to be accepted with
gratitude and experienced with objectivity and detachment. [more about the latihan]